Integrated Application of K and Zn as an Avenue to Promote Sugar Beet Yield, Industrial Sugar Quality, and K-Use Efficiency in a Salty Semi-Arid Agro-Ecosystem

Abstract

Salinity combined with a deficiency of potassium (K) and zinc (Zn) negatively affect sugar beet yield and quality. A two-year (2017/18–2018/19) field trial was undertaken to investigate the mediating role of soil-applied K [120 (K120) and 180 (K180) kg ha−1] and foliar-applied Zn [0 (Zn0), 150 (Zn150), and 300 (Zn300) ppm] in alleviating salt-stress (8.60 dS m−1) based on sugar beet morpho-physiological responses, sugar yield and quality, and K-use efficiency in the BTS 301 and Kawemira cultivars. Application of K180 × Zn300 was more effective and resulted in 23.39 and 37.78% higher root yield (RY) and pure sugar yield (PSY), respectively, compared to control (K120 × Zn0). It also enhanced sucrose, pure sugar (PS), and purity but decreased impurities (α-amino N, K, and Na), alkalinity index, and sugar loss. However, the K120 × Zn300 recorded higher K-use efficiency. PSY correlated positively (r = 0.776 **, 0.629 **, 0.602 **, 0.549 **, and 0.513 **) with RY, root fresh weight (RFW), top yield, PS, and root diameter, respectively. The stepwise and path-coefficient analysis demonstrated that RY, PS, and RFW were the most influential PSY-affected attributes. Integration of K180 + Zn300 can correct K and Zn deficiencies in the soil and mitigate salt-stress effects via improving sugar beet growth, yield and quality, and K-use efficiency.

Foliar Nourishment with Nano-Selenium Dioxide Promotes Physiology, Biochemistry, Antioxidant Defenses, and Salt Tolerance in Phaseolus vulgaris

“…However, under severe stress, the natural tolerance of plants does not help with stress resistance since the active ingredients of the plant with low-molecular mass and high-molecular mass do not provide sufficient requirements for defense against stress. Therefore, exogenous adjuvants, including beneficial nutrients in nanoparticles and other auxiliary strategies, must be used to raise the efficiency of antioxidant defense in stressed plants to enable them to function effectively under different stresses [7,10,[54][55][56][57][58][59], including salinity [6,[60][61][62].…”

Potassium Nutrition Induced Salinity Mitigation in Mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] by Altering Biomass and Physio-Biochemical Processes

“…Furthermore, salt-stressed mungbean plants of both varieties, supplemented with potassium, enhance the competition between Na + and K + in the plasmalemma for absorption and maintain a high K + /Na + ratio [54]. An optimal supply of potassium and nitrogen causes an abatement in Na + content in sugarcane because the administration of K + and N improves the ability of plants to evade Na + absorption [55]. Soil salinization reduced the nitrogen in the mungbean cultivars (Figure 4B).…”

Effect of Phytoplasma Associated with Sesame Phyllody on Ultrastructural Modification, Physio-Biochemical Traits, Productivity and Oil Quality

“…Crop plants in arid and semi-arid climates are often exposed to many environmental stresses during their lives, which hinders their yield performance. These stresses can be abiotic, such as drought, salinity, heavy metals, and weeds [30][31][32][33][34], or biotic, such as pests and diseases [35]. Nowadays, phytoplasmas are among the most serious plant pathogens that negatively affect economically valuable crops, such as sesame, threatening worldwide food security [36].…”